You Can't Take It with You

A raven who helps make illegal fireworks and a kitten paperweight: these two things could solve so many script problems, and I have no idea why they haven't caught on.

Jimmy Stewart is, while his role is downplayed, fantastically enjoyable. And there's a kitten used as a paperweight. Really hard not to like this, but despite that it has a lot of problems. Lacks the focus of some of Capra's better films, and it's naive even for his standards. For a movie that basically boils down to "noone needs to pay taxes, and every problem can be solved by playing the harmonica!", it's surprisingly enjoyable.

Such an emotional roller coaster, I had to watch a film noir afterward as a chaser and settle my nerves. The film swings broadly between high idealism (who should pay federal taxes, anyway?) and hard consequences; screwball antics and what I swear is a one minute sequence of life-altering, silent contemplation. Writing, direction, and acting rise to match the themes.

capra pulls off an absolutely amazing movie and barrymore is the icing on top, i've always been one to praise jimmy stewart, but he really takes a back seat to so many others in this movie. see this movie, it's got some great laughs, some great characters, and phenomenal writing.

Funny people! Being funny! With funniness! Look at how quirky I am everybody! I have pet snakes! I make fireworks! I don't pay taxes because I think it's stupid! The original dysfunctional family! LULZ!!!

Utterly ridiculous but incredibly enjoyable. Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart are cute together, Barrymore is wonderful, and there's a ton of good and varied comedy, something for everyone. When you put some thought into it, however, the naivete underpinning the whole picture is immense and it's impossible not to put some thought into it when the film screams its message at you constantly, though in a very disarming and lovable way. For a dose of cutesy enjoyment this is one of its better packages.

I love Capra and his optimism for the world. I actually have a great uncle that thinks the more money you have the better place in heaven you will receive (lol) so I'm glad to see a movie that recognizes that money isn't everything and that your relationships are ultimately more important. I love this movie despite its problems.

Pathetically naive, and often grating in its optimism and sentimentality, one of Capra's hardest pills to swallow. But you can't help being entertained and engaged by the story, can't help caring about the characters, even getting choked up at the end. Jimmy Stewart does little with his role, and Lionel Barrymore pushes it way too far, but Jean Arthur and Edward Arnold perform at their best. A film I enjoy despite its many flaws.

This film has a good cast that excel in their roles. The script has some predictable parts but it does have several interesting moments and situations. Overall I would recommend this film.

Although the film's saccharine sweetness is spread pretty thick at times, this screwball comedy has such a gem in that wacky how-the-other-half-lives household part of the plot. All of the cast is just stellar.

I think I've seen too much Capra lately. And this baby faced Jimmy Stewart trips me out.

Libertarian propaganda in the form of America's first twee indie film.

A little silly and superficial

Overwhelmingly saccharine, even for a Capra film. Probably would've worked better if the supporting characters were more likable and sympathetic, and Capra's populist themes are better delivered in some of his other films, but gosh darn it, Capra's fairy tale vision of America is just so alluringly romantic and endearingly wholesome and cheerfully optimistic that you can't help but still enjoy this despite its flaws.

I would kill for living with this family. Can’t believe an Oscar winner Frank Capra film is nearly forgotten today.

The overly optimistic message and conclusion that wraps up a little too neatly seems a bit dated, but the acting here is top notch and there is that trademark Capra balance between madcap humor and more serious moralizing discussions. For a Best Picture winner, it might be a little overrated, but I do think that Jimmy Stewart's character, in particular, still holds up well and there's a lot of meaty dialogue here that works.

It's interesting how Capra's films are often dismissed as insubstantial when every one I've seen has specific and explicit politics. Sure, this movie is about the romance between a girl from a free-spirited family and a boy from a rich stuffy family, but it's also about how the social and economic enforcement of privilege makes us all, rich and poor, miserable. It doesn't always hit its goal (the black servants are a big oversight), but it hits close enough to be relevant as well as charming.

Folks, the truth is you can't take anything with you. Not your friendships, not your memories, not your sentimental home. So... I guess that's where this film lost me. I see why it played well for its time: a parable about money in a time when nobody had money. But for all the moral high ground Barrymore sits on, he also refuses to pay taxes and then decides to move after promising not to for selfish reasons, jeopardizing the neighbourhood.

You don't need money to be happy. All you need is a tax free mansion with servants in downtown Manhattan.

85.50

A crossbreed between the Addams family and It's a wonderful life? Rather silly than funny, and way too good-hearted, it's still watchable if you are in the right mood. More than any principal characters I liked Potap Potapovich Kolenkhov (Mischa Auer).

A so-so first two thirds more than redeemed by an outstanding final third.

Really not one of my favorites; to me this comes across as just an average movie. Spends way too much time focusing on the romantic angle, when the family's scenes at home are far more interesting and funny.

Frank Capra #4

watched: 2014, 2024

Frank Capra makes a real feel-good film. However I had a problem with the pacing. For me it was too slow and unfocused to really make it one of the top films of 1938. It won Best Picture at the Oscars! And it didn't feel that much like a winner. This was kind of a joint effort with Lionel Barrymore as the guy most in focus, but he was in such a physical wreck that it probable wasn't the best thing for the movie. For me however it was Edward Arnold who stole the show.

Oh, Capra, always leaves me teary-eyed and smiling at the same time. It's fascinating how he always managed to put economics and romance in one film in such a natural way. Some part of me wants to call a bullshit on how relationships in life are more important than making money, but really, films like these are such a cozy escape, I wish things really would always work out good in the end.

Kind of astounding.

Horribly disappointing cross between a Marx Bros film and a screwball comedy in search of a leading man and a more substantial plot. My probable score was much higher (four tiers) than the one I awarded, suggesting I'm missing something, though.

good telling by Capra again

Got everything you expect from a good Capra movie, in his very particular way. But, as usual in classic hollywood, there are racist stereotypes, unfortunetaly.

Capra continues to amaze me.

999

A great Frank Capra movie. Funny. Jean Arthur is HOT.

Painfully overrated. Definitely not one of my favorite screwball comedies.

992

Every single change from the stage play is a bad one. And Capra's hand is way too obvious in pulling the strings to make his puppets dance.

Fun, old-fashioned movie, often credited as being the root of situation comedy. Well cast and fun.

A paean to nonconformism that makes you want to register as a Communist agent

A very beautiful portrait of a dysfunctional family that still, overall, loves each other.